Matfield comeback confirmed

The worst-kept secret has been confirmed - Victor Matfield will return to the playing field.

The worst-kept secret has been confirmed - Victor Matfield will return to the playing field.

Matfield, one of the most decorated players in the history of the game, will make his return to the playing field for the Bulls in Super Rugby, the Blue Bulls Company (Pty) Ltd confirmed on Friday.

Matfield will make his return to the field during Saturday's match between the Bulls and Stormers in Polokwane.

He will play off the bench.

Matfield, a former Springbok captain, has 110 Test caps behind his name.

Only John Smit, with 111 caps, has played more Tests for South Africa.

He also captained the Bulls to all three their Super Rugby titles - in 2007, 2009 and 2010.

The Blue Bulls Company offered Matfield a contract for 2014 and 2015, which he has gladly accepted as he still harbours dreams of representing the Springboks.

The BBC have also been pro-active in securing Matfield's signature as coach for 2016 and 2017 - a deal he agreed to after he was granted permission to return to the playing field after being part of the union's coaching structures in 2013.

"To have someone with Victor's experience available for selection, as well as his expertise on the training field, is a win-win situation for us," said coach Frans Ludeke.

"He will not only add value as a senior player on the field, but will also continue to mentor younger players with his vast experience of rugby at all levels.

"Victor has been a superb servant of Springbok and Bulls rugby and he has shown on the training field in the last couple of months that he is still hungry to succeed at the top levels of the game."